Canada wins Tuto Marchand ahead of Olympic qualifying
Feature photo: Andrew Wiggins goes to the basket against Puero Rico (via FIBA Americas)
Canada won the Tuto Marchand Continental Cup, an exhibition tournament ahead of FIBA Americas, with a perfect record of four wins from as many games.
The contest wrapped up on Wednesday night in Puerto Rico with a 78-72 win over the host country. NBA Rookie of the Year Andrew Wiggins led the Canadians with 20 points before Canada heads to Mexico City for a bid at finishing top-two in the FIBA Americas, which would give the men’s team an Olympic qualification spot.
Nik Stauskas goes for a long distance shot against Puerto Rico on August 26, 2015 at the Tuto Marchand Continental Cup (Photo: José Jiménez Tirado/FIBA Americas).
Canada Basketball women already advanced to Rio 2016 by winning their FIBA Americas tournament this month in Edmonton.
READ: Steve Nash on Team Canada as Rio qualifying approaches
Previous victories prior to Wednesday night in Puerto Rico for the men’s team at Tuto Marchand arrived against the Dominican Republic 86-74; Brazil 80-64; and Argentina 85-80.
Anthony Bennett throws down a two-handed dunk against Argentina at the Tuto Marchand Continental Cup on August 23, 2015 (Photo: José Jiménez Tirado/FIBA Americas).
Canada’s group in the FIBA Americas consists of Cuba, Puerto Rico, Argentina and Venezuela. Top four teams will advance to the second round. From there, the next top four will make the final round, where a semifinal victory guarantees an Olympic spot. Canada’s first game is against Argentina on September 1, first of four straight nights of action versus (in order) Cuba, Venezuela and Puerto Rico to follow.
Basketball’s top ranked nation, United States, is not in the tournament having already qualified for Rio 2016. Brazil, the host country at Rio, is also in the Olympic tournament but will still take part in FIBA Americas.
